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Valentine’s Day has always been one of those days I’ve loved. While I’ve not always had a significant other on Valentine’s Day, it is nice to sit back and remember how much love I have in my life. I have a great family, amazing friends and am constantly surrounded by love. So whether you have a Valentine this year or not, try and remember how loved you are and how many people you love!

With all of this being said, I still have a list of things I’d be more than happy to receive on Valentine’s Day. Nothing too extravagant but nonetheless lovely.

1. Two Dozen Long Stem Red Roses: I know red roses on Valentine’s Day sound rather cliche, but that doesn’t bother me at all. I love roses. I love how they look, how they smell and how they open up each day a bit more. I tend to believe that flowers can cheer up any room and I would love to come home this Valentine’s Day to gorgeous red roses. Buy through 1800Flowers.com for $139.

2. A homemade dinner: I wouldn’t necessarily turn down a night out on Valentine’s Day, but I absolutely love spending Valentine’s Day at home. It is so great to have your man cook you dinner or even cook dinner together. If I could choose the meal, I’d totally be up for Chicken Marsala or Lasagna this Valentine’s Day. Of course, a nice side salad and some wine would be the best way to round out the meal.

3. Marc Jacobs Kate Lock Hobo: I’ve been thinking about this bag for quite some time now. No, it doesn’t scream Valentine’s Day, but I like that this is the kind of bag that I can carry all year long. Megs, covered this bag a little while back (click here for her review) and I’ve been drooling over it from that point forward. Sure, a little pricey for a Valentine’s Day gift, but you never know, right! Buy through Bergdorf Goodman for $950.

4. J. Crew Deco Necklace: Since the Marc Jacobs bag might be too much, I’ve also found a great necklace from J. Crew that would be fabulous. I love this necklace because it is fun and flirty yet elegant and sophisticated. It would be a great option for dressing up or dressing down an outfit. Buy through J. Crew for $128.

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

In the interest of full disclosure, it’s important for you all to know that I’m an unapologetic Balenciaga fangirl. I can’t be unbiased on the brand’s classic Motorcycle Bags because I love them too much – I’ve owned four myself, in three different shapes, which puts the brand at the top of my all-time ownership list (I like to spread the money around, usually).

As such, I feel as though I must vociferously make the case for the brand at any chance I get, and for anyone that has been considering one of Balenciaga’s bags as a future purchase, I have but one piece of advice: take the plunge. And also, I have a few reasons why…

5. The colors! The colors! We’re talking about Balenciaga, after all. They make everything from blacks, browns, and beiges to the brightest (and best) brights in the business. Jewel tones, neons, anything you want. They’ve made it all, and they give us a half dozen or so new colors twice a year, every year. Sometimes they’re throwbacks to past favorites that are no longer available, but usually they’re a fresh crop of hues to build new outfits around. Everyone has their favorite – mine’s 2007 Violet.

4. A shape for everyone and everyone in their shape Balenciaga makes their classic motorcycle bag in almost as many sizes and shapes as they do colors. From coin purses to clutches to overnight bags, no matter what you need to carry and how you prefer to carry it, there’s something for you. Hobos and satchels make up most of the line, but even then, there are a variety of sizes to pick from.

3. Light as a feather, but not stiff as a board Even in the iterations that have giant hardware, Balenciaga bags are still the lightest that I’ve ever carried. The leather is cut thin instead of the clunky, thick material that many brands prefer, and it makes them easier to carry for long periods of time than most other bags. Even with the thin leather, I’ve never had a ripping or durability problem, and I carry my bags to death and do them no favors. For my purposes, they’re the perfect combination.

2. Even when they’re girly, they’re still edgy Balenciaga is the only brand that has legitimately forced me to contemplate spending money on a bag that’s neon green or bubblegum pink (and I hate pink), and that’s because that in any color, they still manage to look modern and a bit tough. But not too tough! They’re not entirely covered in studs or buckles, just a few, and it’s just enough to balance out any color choice (or to make something like black even better).

1. Not everyone owns one, and they never will I’ve heard people say that the motorcycle bags are played out, or that everyone has one, or whatever. It’s simply not true. The brand is harder to find both online and in stores than almost all of the other major brands that we cover, and the much-sought-after colors are made in relatively low numbers. Past favorites sell for over (sometimes well over) retail on eBay, and unless you live in one of the world’s most fashionable cities, it’s likely that you almost never come across another woman carrying one. I’d wager that the percentage of Americans that are even aware of their existence doesn’t come close to double digits. When you compare that to signature looks from other brands, they’re still relatively exclusive bags.

Still unconvinced? Fair enough, but maybe one day you’ll see that magic color that you feel like Balenciaga chose just for you, and things will all become clear. Trust me.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I have long been telling the story of my collection being Balenciaga-less. It is still Balenciaga-less, even though Vlad and I were on a mission to find me the perfect first Balenciaga bag when we were in NYC. What went wrong you ask, I’ll tell you below.

We started off at the Balenciaga NY store, which is truly off the beaten path near the Hudson River on 22nd Street. The store itself was confusing. As we walked through a cave-like entry way with boisterous music echoing loudly, we wondered if we ended up in the actual store or Balenciaga corporate headquarters. It was their store indeed, with fewer handbags than I expected and service lower than sub-par. Even if there were more BBags in the back room, no one asked us if we needed help, so we only saw what was on the floor. The bag selection was bleak and the service embarrassing, so we left still Balenciaga-less.

The next stop to try to find a Balenciaga bag was Barneys NY, which was right around the corner from our hotel. The service was impeccable. I was not certain of what color I was looking for, but both sale associates that helped Vlad and I went above and beyond. In fact, one SA filled both of her arms from shoulder to wrist with all of the Balenciaga City bags they had in the store. To my disappointment, none of them were a combination of color and hardware that I was looking for.

We left Barneys NY without a Balenciaga bag but with the pleasure of having received great service. Eventually I ended up with a different handbag on our NYC trip, a black Birkin. Yet I will still so disappointed not to find a Balenciaga bag. Don’t get me wrong, a new Birkin is out-of-this-world-amazing, but I had my mind set on a BBag.

Dear PurseBlog reader, I need your help. For all of you that know your Balenciaga colors and styles, help me finally find my first B-Bag. What I am looking for: Balenciaga City, smooshy leather, giant hardware, very wearable color (an everyday and every season color).

Help me out!

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I know some of you are already familiar with the online market place, Portero. It is a great resource for authentic, pre-owned handbags and accessories. In fact, we’ve been working with Portero lately and come to find out, there are several available items at a given time that have actually never even been used, yet you still can grab it at the discounted price!

Well, today, Portero is offering an additional 10% off Louis Vuitton Handbags & Accessories. With this additional 10% off, potentially you could snag a new LV for 70% off! This sale begins today at Noon EST and ends at 5pm EST. So head over and start shopping! Make sure to enter promo code: PURSEF at checkout! And of course, don’t forget to come back and share all the great items you picked up!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP!

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Sighted tonight in the cold rain, New York City, 5th Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman. Even though it’s just a prop, it’s worth noticing.

How one could not notice it, is the question.

Original post by Vlad Dusil

Today, Vlad and I took a trip to Jungle Island off of Miami Beach. There we mingled with our friends the colorful, loud, and beautiful parrots. Our friend, Sky the Macaw, was chatting with me about my Gerard Darel Midday Midnight Hobo.

Truth is, Sky was more concerned with how to hop off her beam to gnaw at the wood on the pole next to her.

I was a long time lover of Gerard Darel bags and finally nabbed my first a couple months ago. The Midday Midnight Hobo is an excellent bag. The shape of the hobo is roomy, yet not oversized and the leather is thick and smooshy. The stunning purple hue pops out but will match practically anything. The only problem I ever have with this bag is getting the chunky top zipper to open when I have the bag on my arm. This is an inconvenience as it is always nice to have an easy opening zip. Buy through Delcina in other color options.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

On the one hand, I think the JCrew Lugano Leather Suitcase is really pretty. It looks really well made, and J. Crew’s website says that it’s manufactured by some big-deal Italian manufacturer called Dell’Ga. I’m sure they’re awesome, and I’m sure this is a wonderful suitcase. BUT IT’S BASICALLY WHITE! I know the color is called “stone,” which implies that there’s some grey to it, but still. Almost white. And a decent-sized suitcase seems like it would be the single most impractical thing in the world to manufacture in such a light color.

Airports are disgusting (at least to me) in pretty much every way imaginable, and I don’t like putting my cheap duffel bag on the dirty conveyor belt to be checked, let alone a nearly $2000 piece of nearly white handcrafted luggage. It also doesn’t have any little wheelies on it, meaning you’re lugging it by yourself, and it weighs nearly nine pounds when completely empty. The price, the color, and the lack of functionality lead me to only one conclusion – these bags are made for those that have OTHERS that see to it that their luggage arrives safely at their destination. Buy through J.Crew for $1800.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Head over to Ideeli for a Prada giveaway that is going on today - for a limited time! We all have come to know and love Prada. And if you don’t have one of your own yet, winning one would be a great way to start your Prada collection. Don’t you think?

CLICK HERE to learn more about the giveaway and enter to win!!!

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

We’ve brought you several amazing handbag deals from Ideeli and today we have another. Head over to Ideeli to check out how you can score a new Escada handbag at up to 68% off! Click here to shop and save!

Original post by Shannon Mahoney

Although the holidays seem like so long ago, I continue my search for fabulous handbags I’d love to add to my wish list. After all, whoever said your wish list only applies during the holidays? As I am sure you know (because I say it all the time), I am a pretty practical girl. I […]

Original post by Shannon